Qatar: Doha wields bags of cash in fresh round of Gazan diplomacy

Qatar’s latest exercise in suitcase diplomacy, handing Gazan officials $15m in cash at the Erez Crossing that divides Israel from the Palestinian territory on 7 December, reinforces Doha’s formidable influence in Hamas-run Gaza. It also underlines the durable nature of its relationship with the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu.The funds, which are enough to pay the salaries of round 30,000 public sector workers in Gaza, was the second instalment of a $90m donation that began flowing in November; it is being paid over six months.